Ed Lyman: Humpback Whale Rescue in the Hawaiian Islands

Freeing a 40-ton whale from a life-threatening entanglement is a complex and dangerous endeavor for trained rescue teams and the animals alike. However, these efforts can be the difference between life and death for the animal, and more importantly, can help garner information that might reduce the threat for many in the future. Lyman shares stories of trying to free these gentle giants and discusses the value of using science to work towards protecting these amazing animals. Join us for light refreshments at 6:30pm and hear about Lyman's incredible experiences at 7pm.

Lyman, the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary’s Large Whale Entanglement Response Coordinator, manages a community-based response effort to entangled large whales around the main Hawaiian Islands. He also assists NOAA Fisheries in addressing large whale entanglement response in Alaska and the US West Coast. Ed Lyman has participated in more than 70 large whale disentanglements.

Please consider a suggested donation of $20 with your registration. Your continued support allows us to offer quality programming in service of our mission to inspire conservation of the world's aquatic treasures.

Images courtesy of NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries and taken under NOAA Fisheries' MMHSRP (permit #s 932-1489 or 932-1905)

About the lecture series:

National Marine Sanctuaries: Special Ocean Places and Their Champions

The National Aquarium is proud to partner with the National Marine Sanctuaries System and the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation to bring you a glimpse of both the wonder beneath the waves and a view of contemporary ocean issues in the 2014 Marjorie Lynn Bank Lecture Series, “National Marine Sanctuaries: Special Ocean Places and Their Champions.”

Our nation’s vast ocean riches are protected by a system of National Marine Sanctuaries, cherished by people around the country and safeguarded by a team of global ocean leaders.

Your National Marine Sanctuary System is a diverse network of the best places in our ocean environment, from humpback whale feeding and birthing grounds and shipwrecks of national interest, to coral reefs and kelp beds that represent the finest ocean and Great Lake areas.

Through a series of lectures, we offer the chance to meet ocean experts who work on the front line of ocean conservation and exploration. Our year-long lecture series brings to you the luminaries, scientists, explorers and artists who protect and use these special places to drive change toward a sustained ocean and a sustainable future.

The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation is a private, non-profit organization whose vision is to strengthen and expand the network of national marine sanctuaries for the benefit of current and future generations.